Week of September 28, 2026

1. The IRS Has a New Free Mobile App

On September 25, the IRS launched a new official app that replaces the old IRS2Go app. It is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. After you sign in securely, you can check your refund and amended return status, see your balance, make payments, view some IRS notices and letters, and get tax transcripts. If you already have IRS2Go and automatic updates are turned on, your phone should switch over on its own.

The IRS also warns people to watch out for fake look-alike apps. The IRS will not ask for sensitive personal or financial information through an unexpected text, email, or pop-up message.

What to do: Download the app only from the official Apple or Google app store, and read the IRS announcement to learn more.

2. Paid to Care for a Family Member? There Are Special Tax Rules

On September 22, the IRS reminded families that people who are paid to care for a loved one at home may have tax responsibilities. In many cases, a paid caregiver is treated as a household employee of the person receiving care. Some family members, such as a spouse, a child under 21, or (in most cases) a parent, are generally not subject to employment taxes, but a Form W-2 may still be required. Caregivers paid by an insurance company or a state agency may need to report that money as income on their tax return.

What to do: If you pay a relative for care, or you are paid to care for one, keep good records of payments and review the IRS caregiver tax tip before tax time.

3. Filed an Extension? Your Deadline Is October 15

If you asked for more time to file your 2025 tax return, your extended deadline is Thursday, October 15, 2026. Remember that an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay. The IRS says any tax you owe was due by the April filing date, so filing and paying as soon as you can is the best way to limit extra charges.

• Gather your W-2s, 1099s, and other tax forms now.
• The IRS encourages filing and paying electronically.
• If you live in a federally declared disaster area, you may have a later deadline. See IRS disaster relief.

What to do: Don’t wait until the last day. Check the IRS extension page and get your documents together this week.

We’re Here to Help

Have questions about how these changes affect you? Call Dream Tax Service at (404) 207-7829 or upload your documents through our secure client portal at https://dreamtaxservice.taxdome.com.